Mayagüez

Mayagüez is a municipality and city on the western coast of Puerto Rico, an unincorporated territory of the United States. It is one of the island’s most populous urban centers and is nicknamed La Sultana del Oeste. The municipality serves as a cultural and economic hub for the western region and includes urban neighborhoods as well as rural outskirts.

Geography and history: Mayagüez lies along the Caribbean coastline and is traversed by the Río Yagüez. The area was inhabited by the Taíno before Spanish colonization and developed as an agricultural and administrative center during the colonial era. The city grew through commerce, education, and industry and remains a key city in western Puerto Rico.

Institutions and culture: The University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez (UPRM) is a major public university campus known for science and engineering programs. The city preserves a historic downtown with theaters such as the Yagüez Theater and other 19th- and 20th-century buildings that reflect its architectural heritage. Cultural and sporting events, along with university activity, contribute to the city’s social life.

Economy and notable events: Historically centered on agriculture, especially sugar and crops, Mayagüez today has a diversified economy that includes education, healthcare, manufacturing, and services. The city is known in international history for the Mayagüez incident in 1975, when a U.S. military operation followed the seizure of a vessel by Khmer Rouge forces.